SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants' catching depth, considered an asset for much of the spring, suddenly has prompted concern.
Andrew Susac, who began Spring Training as the likely backup to Buster Posey, has a bone bruise on his surgically repaired right wrist that is causing inflammation. That, in turn, has prevented Susac from swinging at full force. Additionally, Trevor Brown, who has created a spirited competition with Susac, sustained a bruise on his left forearm when an A's hitter accidentally struck him with a backswing Monday in the Giants' 6-4 Cactus League loss to Oakland.
"You don't like to get nicked up, but these things happen," manager Bruce Bochy said.
• Spring Training:Schedule | Tickets | Information
The undermanned Giants were forced to use Miguel Olivo, a former big leaguer currently in Minor League camp, to handle catching duties against the A's while Posey played first base. San Francisco also has veteran George Kottaras in camp as a non-roster invitee.
Bochy said Brown, who's batting .375, likely will be sidelined for at least two days.
"I think he's going to be fine," Bochy said.
Unfortunately for the Giants, they have no such timetable for Susac, whose condition was referred to by Bochy as "a mystery."
Susac agreed. He believed last September's surgical procedure solved his wrist-related issues, which ended his 2015 season prematurely. But he said he took a swing in last Monday night's exhibition against Oakland that brought on a fresh sensation of pain, which shot toward his elbow.
Susac said he can swing a bat without discomfort as long as he's swinging off a tee or hitting soft-toss style. But swinging with intensity bothers Susac.
"I don't know how to explain it," Susac said. "I just want to get it right in the long run, even though there's no structural damage."
Susac said he received a cortisone shot a few days ago to relieve his discomfort. Bochy added that Susac underwent an X-ray, which revealed no structural damage.